Downpresser Interview

Downpresser from Santa Barbara, Cali brings nothing but a hard mosh and blood to the dance floor! They've been getting a lot of good reviews for their music but what is more important is that all the kids I know who had a chance to see them live were coming home with bruises. If a hardcore band makes you wanna sing along while getting your ass constantly kicked in the pit you know it's a real deal! Read the interview to know where and when see them playing live and what's up with the upcoming Lp!

Downpresser from Santa Barbara, Cali brings nothing but a hard mosh and blood to the dance floor! They've been getting a lot of good reviews for their music but what is more important is that all the kids I know who had a chance to see them live were coming home with bruises. If a hardcore band makes you wanna sing along while getting your ass constantly kicked in the pit you know it's a real deal! Read the interview to know where and when see them playing live and what's up with the upcoming Lp!

First off, thanks for taking your time to do this interview. Lets have some introductions, Who are you, and what is your role in Downpresser?

I'm Dan, I sing in DP.

How did Downpresser begin?

Sean (guitar) and Jim (drums) started playing together in late 2005. Russ (bass) joined and then I was asked to do vocals. We wrote a demo started playing out and it went from there.

What are some major influences for you guys?

Musically, I think Merauder, Biohazard, Leeway, No Warning, All Out War, Stigmata, etc. Bands like that.

Where/what do you draw from your life to create lyrics?

Probably the same as anyone else.. Emotions, opinions, situations in my life. Some of my lyrics are metaphorical but they're still personal. I try to be honest.

What song have you written means the most to you? Why?

Arm's Length. It's one of my favorite songs to play live and the lyrics have continued to gain new meanings the more we play it.

You play bass in Minus as well, what are things you enjoy/differences being in each band?

It's just different. Two different kinds of playing. I love each. The tour we did over the summer was perfect. I love playing with both bands.

For those who haven’t heard you guys, what can they expect when they pick up one of your records?

I don't know man. We just like writing hardcore that we would want to listen to. That's it, haha.

My first time seeing you guys was with Hammerbros in Sacramento, it was a religious experience for me. What shows have you been to that you will never forget?

Thanks! Recently, United Blood 2011. So much fun. Overall... I have a lot of memories from the early 2000's when I was coming up. Seeing In Control, Terror, American Nightmare, and so many other bands all the time was a huge influence on me personally. I was into punk originally, so seeing like Rancid and shit like that back when I was a kid was huge too.

How is hardcore in your hometown?

Strong right now. We have a bunch of good venues going right now and a solid group of kids that regularly come out.

What has the band released?

Demo, Perverted Justice 12"ep, split 7" with Creatures, Age Of Ignorance 7".

Any new releases coming up?

Working on an LP. It's about halfway done. We're trying to record it in the summer before Sound & Fury.

What are your touring plans? Upcoming shows?

At the end of May we're touring up to Rainfest with Rotting Out and Alpha & Omega. Right after Sound & Fury we're leaving on a full U.S. tour with New Morality and Cornered, both from the Netherlands. Cornered's got a record coming out on 6131 before the tour so keep an eye out for that.

Once again, thanks for doing this interview. Any final thoughts or shout outs?

Thank you. Hi to all my friends.

Interview done by Jeffrey Wang from San Jose, CA

New Blood: Maya Over Eyes

Maya Over Eyes really began in the summer of 2004 in San Jose CA. In no time at all they began sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in Hardcore, establishing themselves as a prominent figure in the local scene. Their first recording came as a demo in 2006. Soon after they finished their first demo, the band began to venture out on the road, including a western US tour in 2007 and a northwestern US tour in 2009.

Maya Over Eyes really began in the summer of 2004 in San Jose CA. In no time at all they began sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in Hardcore, establishing themselves as a prominent figure in the local scene. Their first recording came as a demo in 2006. Soon after they finished their first demo, the band began to venture out on the road, including a western US tour in 2007 and a northwestern US tour in 2009.

First off introductions, what is your name/instrument played in the band?

Paco, vocals.

How did Maya Over Eyes come to be?

Maya Over Eyes started in late 2003 as a high school project. With no plans to do anything major. Just a bunch of kids into metal/punk that believed family and friends was the biggest thing in life when it came to hardcore music with a few other influences. As 2004 began, things had gone from jamming in a garage/back yards to performing at the Campbell, Ca Gaslighter. High school talent show at D.C.P. Collage prep. We started to get a following in San Jose, Ca as soon as the Cave opened. Gig after gig we soon wanted to become a full time touring band.

What bands influence you guys?

Maya Over Eyes has a very diverse influences when it comes to music. There's bands from all different genres that have a huge impact on us. They range from latin bands to metal bands, but I think we can all agree that Hatebreed is our most major influence.

What is the band all about? (What is the message the band wants to send out?)

The message we have is pretty basic. Live life to the fullest and be happy with what you have.... "Better Times" is a song that we released that breaks down everything we stand for. Hard times or not, there's always better times..

Where/what do you draw from your life to write lyrics?

I write lyrics from my past. Experiences my family and friends have gone through. Things in life will take you to the most extremes without planning. Definitely worth writing. Everyone has things to say. Poetry to write or rhymes to rap about. Life itself is where things come from..

What is the biggest challenge you guys have faced as a band?

The biggest challenge we've had is keeping this project together. With so many line up changes. Things always get complicated. But some how, some way we manage to keep it rollin...

How is hardcore in the Bay Area?

B.A.H.C. is very strange. It has a South Bay, East Bay divisions. When they come together, it's really huge. We have a few generations that hold it down. Over all Bay Area has a great scene. If you can turn heads in your direction, no doubt you can make some damage.

What is the band’s current label situation?

We've never had a label. This has always been D.I.Y. band. Never had plans to sign with any labels but things keep going our way. As long as we got heart and a little cash. Maya will keep doing they're thing.

What has the band released? (Put download links as well if you guys want)

"Things Get Worse Before They Get Better" is the only official self release E.P. we have since 2009. Theres a few demos but nothing worth downloading.

Here's a link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?lwzly0imjmt

Any touring plans? Upcoming shows?

A full U.S. tour with Make It Reign (Reno, NV) & Forty Winters
(Coral Springs, FL) in June. It's a month and a week long. First U.S. tour we will do. A few gigs coming up but for that you can check out the Facebook page..

http://www.facebook.com/mayaovereyes?sk=app_123966167614127

Thanks for your time. Any final thoughts or shout outs?

We want to thank everyone that has always had their arms open to us. Lets us stay on their floors, shower and have taken care of us like family. You all know theres too many to name. To the kids that haven't seen us. It's only a matter of time. Shout outs to all San Jose for giving us there love. We always keep it 408 no matter where we go.

Interview was done by Jeffrey Wang

Strike Back Interview

Strike Back hails from France and is all about angry hardcore played at decent speeds and with a decent weight on it. Ten years after their debut album and they still have not lost it. After two full lengths and couple of Eps, the band has self released their new album called Still Holding On in January. If you read the review I’ve posted some time ago than you know it’s good, if not, make sure you check out this shit. Fans of Madball or Sick Of It All will be happy, fans of My Chemical Dildo might be disappointed.

Strike Back hails from France and is all about angry hardcore played at decent speeds and with a decent weight on it. Ten years after their debut album and they still have not lost it. After two full lengths and couple of Eps, the band has self released their new album called Still Holding On in January. If you read the review I’ve posted some time ago than you know it’s good, if not, make sure you check out this shit. Fans of Madball or Sick Of It All will be happy, fans of My Chemical Dildo might be disappointed.

Can you tell us a bit about the history of Strike Back? How things got started and what have you been up to so far?

The band started 10 years ago, on New Year’s Eve 2000. With 3 friends of mine we wanted to play punk hardcore music, something in between Strife / Sick of it all / Madball /Agnostic front etc… a mix of all the bands we loved at that time. The problem was that we weren’t great musicians, we were young and inexperienced, so the beginning was hard and it took a while to find our own style. In 2004 came out our first LP “Straight from the 95”. When I listen to it now, it sounds a bit weird, a mix of punk rock, street punk and hardcore songs but I think it was a decent CD. You know now it’s a collector, very hard to find!

We started playing a few shows around Paris too and basically that’s how things started for us.

In 2007 came out our 2nd LP “Where I Stand”, we got great reviews and many people said it was one of the best hardcore CD ever released in France. We recorded it in a great studio and it really was a step forward for us. We played many shows in France and abroad with this CD and played with many great bands as well (Champion, Ensign, Comeback Kid, Internal affairs, Verse, No Turning back… )

In 2010, after a tour in the UK, all the guys left the band one after the other, I guess after 8 or 9 years in the band some guys wanted to do something else or were pissed with the hardcore scene.

So there was a total change of line up and luckily some new guys joined the band; otherwise it would have been the end of the band I reckon.

We worked hard and after a few months we were ready to record a new CD. Unfortunately our label stopped its activity so we had to do things on our own with a few friends for this one, the recordings, the promo etc… that’s a lot of work as you can imagine. Anyway, this CD is harder than the previous one and more aggressive. I think it’s our best CD, the songs are good, and the lyrics are sincere.

When you listen to this CD you kind of figure out who we are. We’re musicians, and normal people, we love playing music and writing new songs, we‘re not rock stars or hipsters. We spend more time in the studio then in bars or in clubs showing off or on the web spreading bullshit. We don’t try to be people we’re not.

Your album Still Holding On has been out recently. How has the reception been so far for? How long did it take to put the album together?

The CD came out 2 months ago; so far the reviews are very positive. We try to propose to the public something else, more authentic. I guess the youngsters won’t find us cool enough but usually the people who’ve been around for more than 6 months appreciate what we do.

The final line up was set in August 10 and we recorded in December 10. Many songs were written before august 10, with past and present members but we had to rework on everything to do something coherent.

So what can kids expect when they pick up a copy of the disc?

We play down to earth hardcore in the NY vein. There is no technical shit and no fantasy here. If you are into aggressive, sincere and energic hardcore this is for you. We talk about things we know and we deal with everyday there is no bullshit in here.

Which bands influenced Strike Back sound the most?

Each and every member of the band listens to different things, metal, hardcore, punk rock. We have always listed in our influences the same bands: STRIFE / MADBALL / SICK OF IT ALL for instance.

Speaking for myself, I’m not that much into new bands, and I still listen to the same old bands I used to listen to when I was younger: INTEGRITY / MERAUDER / CROWN OF THORNZ / WARZONE and also faster things like 10 YARD FIGHT or IN MY EYES

What are your overall thoughts about the state of the hardcore music and community nowadays? I am asking after reading the lyrics to couple of tracks on the album, like Newbie In This Game or Fuck Your Scene. What inspired these rants?

I think that for many people it’s meaningless. You know we live in a consumption society were image is important and commitment and trust is not. Everything goes very fast now, so it’s easy to move on to something else.

If I look at the old bands some recorded 3 or 5 CDs now it seems that every new band lasts 1 or 2 years and then split, you see what I mean, either they get tired of it or they weren’t that interested in playing music and being part of that. This is why I’m not that interested in the new things cause you never know what is the spirit behind that. I am not saying everybody is like that, but it seems that music, creation, the message, is not that important. Some people have understood it very well, some bands will sell 10 different types of shirts and have only recorded 5 or 6 songs… you know there is something wrong with that, the approach is different.

As I said before I’m not that much into new bands because, you need to know what you’re talking about, I wasn’t born yesterday and I know how things work, so when I meet 18 year old kids who talk shit, about politics, the scene, life etc… I just move on…

I dig the Crashing Down song but I am wondering, how do you guys cope with the new, challenging economic situation facing everyone today? What’s your advice to get ahead but not to get trapped in life´s routine?

Today if you want to survive in this world, you need money… there is no alternative and sometimes you sit on your principles. You know people don’t like to talk about money in the hardcore scene, but people are selling shirts and CDs against money … so for me there is no problem in having a real job and still being part of the hardcore movement. Why? because if you want to talk about society about what’s going wrong, the best thing is to be involved in that and to face it every day. In every job there is some kind of routine, no doubt about that, but if you like what you do and it allows you to do your things afterwards (like music, sports or what so ever) then it’s good.

I guess having a passion and hanging out with good friends sugar the pill

And what is the story behind the Self Respect song? What you think should be done to keep kids away from drugs and fucking up their lives in general?

This song is dedicated to all the people who ruin their everyday life because their too fucked up to move on and to do things. I mean since we were kids people have told us that drug using is shit so why people keep on doing that? I’m not Straight Edge and I enjoy sharing a drink with my friends but in a conscious way because I know that the day after I have things to do and I can’t afford to screw everything up because I got high the night before.

I don’t have a solution to keep kids away from drugs, I guess the inner personality is important, some people are stronger, some are weaker, and it’s easy for someone who has a boring job, no girlfriend, no ambition or dreams to fall in that trap.

France has always had a reputation for having one of the hardest bands in hardcore. What are some of the current bands from your country everyone should check out?

Unfortunately most of the bands we hang out or played with stopped… we had a bunch of great bands here in France. Nowadays there are a few new bands that hit the stage recently and that sound pretty good.

If you are into hardcore music, you can check out: xDIGx or BLACK SPIRALS, if you are into New school hardcore, check out REVIVAL, and if you are more into Punk Rock, check out THE DAVID CARRADINE APOCALYPSE.

What does the future hold for you guys as a band?

We are going to try spreading our name as much as possible. We got some shows coming up, and with the new CD out, we’ll try to play more after this summer. We ‘re also looking for people who could helps us dealing the CD abroad, review it and talk about the band too. We would like to go abroad for a few shows before the end of the year too. We are also going to do our first video clip in May on the song “Self Respect” .So we’ll see what comes up

Do you have any shout outs or anything that you would like to say?

I just want to thank all the people who have supported us since day 1 and all the others. As you can see we’re still around and we’ll keep on doing what we do best.

If you are interested in the band, the music etc… don’t hesitate to get in touch with us too through www.myspace.com/strikeback95 or facebook .

Finally thanks to the people who picked up our last CD too and to you for giving us the chance to appear in your webzine

Edge Of Spirit Interview

Edge Of Spirit is a long running Japan hardcore band with a heavy metallic sound. They take a lot both from classic metalcore sound as well as straight up metal and they do their thing just right. Their new self titled album is a proof they know how to handle their shit, delivering strong and tight performance while avoiding genre clichés. I just have to add that this interview has been actually done couple of weeks before the tragic tsunami that hit Japan and I just hope that no one from the band was harmed during these tragic events.

Edge Of Spirit is a long running Japan hardcore band with a heavy metallic sound. They take a lot both from classic metalcore sound as well as straight up metal and they do their thing just right. Their new self titled album is a proof they know how to handle their shit, delivering strong and tight performance while avoiding genre clichés. I just have to add that this interview has been actually done couple of weeks before the tragic tsunami that hit Japan and I just hope that no one from the band was harmed during these tragic events.

Your latest album self-titled has been released recently. What can people expect from it?

It's pretty simple, I would like people to have a listen to it, crank it, and enjoy it. All we can do is just to output music, so If I could have people feel what they feel from the music, I would be happy enough then.

Now that it hit the streets, how do you feel about it? Are you satisfied with the outcome? What has been the response so far?

We're very satisfied with it. We have inputted all what we think and what we want to do into the album. The response has been so far so good, everybody says it's cool.

Has anything changed, music wise, since the bands previous release?

Nothing really has been changed basically. We take pride in the fact that we have kept producing original metallic hardcore sound and we will never change our own ethic.

What is the main inspiration when writing lyrics and is there a theme or themes behind the writing of this record?

The theme of the album is "revolution". I don't mean anything political, but I mean the theme is about how we can achieve what we can't, how we can make our things better, how we can solve our own frustration and struggle by ourselves around our daily life. The theme statement is, let's make a revolution in ourselves day by day. So, my inspiration mostly comes from anything around myself.

What is your label situation? How did you hook up with Demons Run Amok records for this release?

In Japan we have been on a label called OCH. I'm satisfied with deal and activities with them very much. Our manager Hideki enabled us to hook up with Demons Run Amok in Europe. He has been our fan for years and keeps trying to spread our music to the world. He's a brilliant manager.

What are some of the moments that stand out to you when thinking back about the band’s history so far?

Way too many good moments in this 14 years to name though, we got to known with friends in Korea, Canada, Australia, and America through our music by touring. That's what stands out to us.

What are some main influences that have shaped the band?

Musically all kinds of hardcore music and metal music have influenced us a lot. In terms of attitude, hardcore mind has influenced us a lot.

Describe hardcore scene in Japan at the beginning of the 21st century.

It has been excellent that various type of hardcore bands came out. Every year many overseas bands come over here, and everybody gets together, supports each other and trys to make an excellent scene. It's DIY level though, I think it's very good scene.

There are many kids saying that the hardcore is constantly changing and adapting. How do you feel about the progress in hardcore in terms of music and lyrics and how do you see the future of the scene?

For sure music is constantly changing and adapting. Rather than that, I think how we make a change with music is way more important. It's not like the newer music is, the better it is. Who and what kind of person plays the music is more important than what the music it is. The fact that new kind of music keeps coming out is very exciting and good, however I would like young people to check out where current music came from and try to understand that as well. The scene may be going to be bigger or die off. I can't really say what is going to happen in the future. I can't predict the future. If we don't really care how we should enjoy too much and everybody makes sure keep loving the scene, then the scene will stay good I think.

What is your definition of real hardcore and what is your formula for staying true to the roots of the genre but at the same time giving your music some fresh flavor and exploring themes not commonly done in hardcore albums?

My definition of hardcore is to stay true to yourself, not to change your mind by others' opinions. There are many kinds of music out now, but what kind of hardcore music you play doesn't really matter to me. What is important is your heart. I even sometimes feel hardcore mind from some of people who play other type of music. Our formula is to keep stepping and progressing with hardcore mind.

Beyond just hardcore bands who are some people you feel represent true hardcore?

Talking about here back in the ancient, samurai warriors represent hardcore!

Pick 3 words that describe your live show?

Passion, Heaviness, Chaos

Thanks for the interview. Any last shout outs? So what are some other band’s plans for the future?

We are going to go and tour Europe on May! Please check out www.mad-tourbooking.de for more info. I would like you to see us live and enjoy music together. If we visit your town, then please come and have fun with us!

www.facebook.com/edgeofspirit
www.myspace.com/edgeofspirit

One X Choice - Forever War

Give Em Hell to release new EP on Westcoast Worldwide Records

Westcoast Worldwide Records is proud to present the triumphant return of Northern Cali hardcore monsters Give Em Hell! As the world already knows, Give Em Hell is hardly your run of the mill hardcore band, and 2011 will further solidify that with the release of Volume 1. Anybody can release a full length album, but only a band like Give Em Hell can make it into a full blown campaign! April 10th brings forth the first offering of what should be quite an epic 3 EP series for 2011.

“We just really wanted to try something different” said guitarist Jon Korn. “We felt that things change so fast over the course of modern life, we just really wanted to be able to reflect that. Plus, we wanted to do something a bit more reflective, and keep things moving in an extra current manner. Not only with what goes on in our lives but also in the scene too. We felt this was a great way to put our experiences as a band and as people on tape……as they happen.”

An A-typical approach to hardcore has become somewhat of a calling card for GIVE EM HELL. Its debut release (Westcoast Worldwide), 2008′s WE ARE THE WOLVES was a banquet of melodic riffing, complex vocal arrangements, and sonic songwriting, with a dash of stoner/southern rock, and a side crushing breakdowns thrown in just to keep it extra tasty. VOLUME 1 marks a bigger, badder, smarter and slicker GIVE EM HELL.

With VOLUME 1, we really feel like we hit our stride”, remarks Vocalist Peach Daniels. “Weve changed a lot as a band since WE ARE THE WOLVES. Weve had a few changes to the band (including the addition of drummer Craig Spinelli of HOODS fame), as well as weve lived life! We really feel that VOLUME 1 is a strong statement about both us as people and as a hardcore band, and we cant wait for people to hear it!”

This is certainly no slouch statement. This is a road tested, and tried and true GIVE EM HELL! Fans of such bands and Comeback Kid, and Bane will find it impossible to put these records down. Any fan of passionate sing-a-longs, diversely melodic attack, and foot stomping breakdowns will surely find something to love about GIVE EM HELL

Crowd Deterrent - Full Set

Face Your Enemy to drop new album - Message In A Bomb

Message In A Bomb is new album but Italian powerhouse Face Your Enemy. It will be released by Urban Discipline Records. The album includes nine tracks which sound is pure beatdown/hardcore with some rap influences. If you're a fan of Madball, Deez Nuts, Beastie Boys and Nasty this might appeal to you. You can listen to all of the new songs here.

Ruined Tongue “All Of My Bad Habits” 7″ on Irish Voodoo Records

Irish Voodoo Records has launched pre-orders for new 7″ from Ruined Tongue. The Ep is titled “All Of My Bad Habits” and will hold five tracks, including a Black Flag cover. This release was co-released with Reckless Mind Collective & Radical Friends. Everyone who places the order will get a download card of the songs. The first 50 people to pre-order will get a special Ruined Tongue/Black Flag,hand numbered cover over the original art work. First 33 people will get the marble vinyl.

No Second Chance signed to Goodlife for a debut album

Good Life Recordings is proud to welcome No Second Chance from London, UK to the family! No Second Chance caught Good Life's attention in Summer 2010, after having released a 10-song split CD with Beater on Loyalty and Devotion, an Indie Clothing Co/Label! NSC have now recorded a brand new full length album that is now in the hands of Nicolas Declève for Mastering and will be released before summer 2011, pre-orders will be up soon!